Mo. voters oust Rep. Ike Skelton after 34 years

[Renew Deal]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Through four economic recessions, five presidents and 17 elections, Democratic Rep. Ike Skelton prevailed at the ballot box by building a reputation as a military expert and social conservative. Until now.

Missouri voters ousted the 78-year-old chairman of the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday in favor of Republican Vicky Hartzler, a former home economics teacher and state lawmaker who cast Skelton as an ally of President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Skelton, who prided himself on staying connected to constituents, ultimately was brought down by a perception that he had lost touch with his rural west-central Missouri district, which gave Obama just 38 percent of its vote two years ago. Since then, Obama's popularity has waned further in Missouri.

"I think Ike is an honorable guy," said Mike Sadler, 54, of Sedalia, who said he backed Skelton when he first ran for Congress in 1976 and had stuck with him. "But it's time for a change. He definitely does not represent Midwest values anymore."
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110301145.html


This is what I think the election was most about yesterday. Not Obama, Pelosi, Teabaggers, or whatever.

For the first time she could recall, Lynnette Hunter, 61, of Sweet Springs, decided to cast her vote against Skelton. She said the country's broader problems required a new voice.

"We've got to start getting rid of what's in there now," she said. "We need a thorough House-cleaning."

[WCGreen]

1. Fuck these midwestern values....

What the fuck does that mean...

[Kennah]

2. Same bullshit as Family Values, American Values, Conservative Values, Christian Values

[kick-ass-bob]

7. and "common sense"

Common sense my ass.

[catgirl]

3. It's a meaningless talking point n/t

[WCGreen]

5. I'm from the midwest and I don't get it at all...

Mindless dribble,,,

[MadHound]

4. In many ways I'm happy to see Skelton go,

He was hardly a Democrat, and very much the warmonger. My only disappointment is that he didn't get primaried so that a real Dem would have the chance to run instead. Vicky Hartzler is a ditz who will last precisely one term.

[joeybee12]

6. Yeah, not sorry to see such a homophobe gone...n/t